Drive for a vehicle intended to transverse rough terrain

Abstract

A drive for a vehicle traversing rough terrain including first and second drive units and first and second pairs of tires. The first drive unit includes a first differential and axle. The second drive unit includes a second differential and axle. A secondary drive shaft synchronizes the second and first differentials. Each tire is divided into first and second segments. The center of the first segment is the rotational center of the tire so as to allow it to roll when in contact with the rough terrain. The first segment extends 240° and the second segment extends 120°. The radius of curvature of the second segment is greater than that of the first segment so as to allow it to be only slightly curved and almost flat, and as a result thereof, pointed areas are formed that bite into, and allow the second segment to grip, the rough terrain.

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A drive for a vehicle intended to traverse rough terrain, wherein the vehicle has a drive shaft, said drive comprising: 
       a) a first drive unit;  
       b) a second drive unit;  
       c) a first pair of tires;  
       d) a second pair of tires; and  
       e) a secondary drive shaft;  
       wherein said first drive unit is for operatively connecting to the drive shaft of the vehicle;  
       wherein said second drive unit is operatively connected to said first drive unit;  
       wherein said first pair of tires are operatively connected to said first drive unit;  
       wherein said first pair of tires are shaped for traversing the rough terrain;  
       wherein said second pair of tires are operatively connected to said second drive unit;  
       wherein said second pair of tires are shaped for traverse the rough terrain;  
       wherein each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires are identical to each other;  
       wherein each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires has a rotational center;  
       wherein each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires has a periphery;  
       wherein said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is divided into a first segment and a second segment;  
       wherein said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is a first arc of a circle;  
       wherein said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires has a first radius of curvature;  
       wherein said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires has a first center;  
       wherein said first radius of curvature extends from said first center of said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires;  
       wherein said first center of said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is said rotational center of an associated tire of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires so as to allow said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires to roll when in contact with the rough terrain;  
       wherein said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires extends 240° from an originating point thereof to a terminating point thereof;  
       wherein said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is a second arc of a circle;  
       wherein said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires extends 120° from said originating point of said first arc of a circle of said first segment of an associated tire of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires to said terminating point of said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said associated tire of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires so as to close said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said associated tire of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires;  
       wherein said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires has a second center; and  
       wherein said second center of said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is not said rotational center of an associated tire of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires.  
     
     
       2. The drive as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first drive unit comprises a first differential; and 
       wherein said first differential is for operatively connecting to the drive shaft of the vehicle.  
     
     
       3. The drive as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said second drive unit comprises a second differential; and 
       wherein said second differential is operatively connected to said first differential.  
     
     
       4. The drive as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising a secondary drive shaft; 
       wherein said secondary drive shaft operatively connects said second differential to said first differential; and  
       wherein said secondary drive shaft synchronizes said second differential to said first differential.  
     
     
       5. The drive as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first drive unit comprises a first axle; and 
       wherein said first axle is operatively connected to said first differential.  
     
     
       6. The drive as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said first pair of tires are connected to said first axle. 
     
     
       7. The drive as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second drive unit comprises a second axle; and 
       wherein said second axle is operatively connected to said second differential.  
     
     
       8. The drive as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said second pair of tires are connected to said second axle. 
     
     
       9. The drive as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is smooth. 
     
     
       10. The drive as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is smooth. 
     
     
       11. The drive as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires has a second radius of curvature; and 
       wherein said second radius of curvature of said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires is greater than said first radius of curvature of said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of an associated tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires so as to allow said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of said each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires to be only slightly curved and almost flat, and as a result thereof, pointed areas are formed at said originating point of said first arc of a circle of said first second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires and said terminating point of said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of an associated tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires that bite into, and allow said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of each tire of said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires to grip, the rough terrain.  
     
     
       12. The drive as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of one tire of said first pair of tires is offset 180° from said second arc of a circle of said second segment of said periphery of one tire of said second pair of tires that is in tandem therewith so as to allow said first arc of a circle of said first segment of said periphery of one of said one tire of said first pair of tires and said one tire of said second pair of tires to always be in contact with the rough terrain.